new years eve

i'm trying to decide where in the hell to go for new years and have just about driven myself nuts with the debate. we're considering new york vs toronto but are open to other options. as this is a largely self-serving post, it may not generate much in the way of responses; however, any guidance would be much appreciated. thanks.

sixxpack saidi'm trying to decide where in the hell to go for new years and have just about driven myself nuts with the debate. we're considering new york vs toronto but are open to other options.

I'd have thought your own New Orleans would be a good place for a big party, but maybe it's old-hat to you, interested in something different. Are you looking for a big public street celebration, or lots of gay clubs to hit? Do you plan to stay very long and do other touristy things?

NYC's Times Square is the traditional place to be with one of the biggest party mobs on Earth, a ticket-punch to say you were once there. Expensive to stay locally, but the Christmas decorations, like at Rockefeller Center and along Fifth Avenue, can be a treat. Otherwise more an indoor city in the winter, Central Park barren & bleak, but plenty of art & history museums if that sort of thing interests you. Also attend the Christmas Show at Radio City Music Hall. A good selection of gay clubs, but none I would call real standouts.

Can't speak for Toronto at New Year's. Here in South Florida the action's mostly in the gay clubs and with circuit parties, that offer various incentives to draw a crowd. We ourselves always visit private homes with friends, the traditional silly hats, noise makers and other party novelties about as crazy as we get at our ages.

Here's the best online guide for what's happening in South Florida, for as far south as Key West (where we'll be next week until the Tuesday before US Thanksgiving). There really is a Mark of Mark's List, very nice guy. But I scanned his site, don't see anything much posted yet for New Year's Eve for Florida, just the standard Friday night weekly fare they always repeat, so difficult for you to decide at this point.

ah, i suppose i didn't give much guidance did i? i'm more foodie than gourmand, independent bookstore than books-a-million, billy reid than hugo boss, and vocal trance than tribal. having just done new orleans for halloween, i'm all "big easied" out. i was looking more for something colder, older, and outside my southeastern stomping grounds. i'll definitely be on the dance floor all night but will be ferreting out the quirky coffee houses and bookstores during the day. thanks again.

sixxpack saidah, i suppose i didn't give much guidance did i? i'm more foodie than gourmand, independent bookstore than books-a-million, billy reid than hugo boss, and vocal trance than tribal. having just done new orleans for halloween, i'm all "big easied" out. i was looking more for something colder, older, and outside my southeastern stomping grounds. i'll definitely be on the dance floor all night but will be ferreting out the quirky coffee houses and bookstores during the day. thanks again.

OK, well that would be a fair description of a week in NYC. The only problem with the Times Square ball-dropping scene is that the police now use crowd control, whereas it once was all open. And depending on the threat level you'll have to pass security checks that will likely prohibit large items like backpacks, or bottles.

For that reason you may have to arrive a few hours early to gain "entrance" before crowd capacity is reached and it's completely blocked, and then just wait around. Dress warmer than you normally would for whatever temperature it is that night, with hat & gloves, because hours of standing idle on sometimes windy New York streets will chill you more than you may have experienced before.

And check local online sites & newspapers for this year's Times Square rules & guidance. I believe this NYPD site will be carrying official police policy as the day approaches, as will the NYC municipal site:

Afterwards there aren't too many gay clubs near Times Square, they're rather spread out, NYC really not having a gay "strip" like some cities do. But straight clubs can be fun, too. Wherever you go there may be lines outside to get in, though that should diminish after midnight.

If you do decide on NYC let us know, plenty of RJ guys who know the city well, and who may also want to meet you. I live in South Florida but used to be a regular in Manhattan. And of course let me know if you instead choose South Florida. Fort Lauderdale/Wilton Manors has most of the gay clubs, while South Beach should be having some outdoor partying, like along Ocean Drive and on Lincoln Mall. But neither really has some of the other things you say you're looking for, not like compared to NYC, and certainly not as cold.

I'd make plans in a way that you will really remember the activities, meaning, go someplace and do something that is special to you guys. Don't do some mundane party or bar unless it is something you've really wanted to do.Otherwise, it may just be another New Years... My bf and I have had severalreally awesome New Years Eve celebrations.... one at the top of the CN Tower in Toronto. I won't ever forget that.

I live near NYC and have never done Times Square. I just think it would be too crazy... I heard they corral you in with those aluminum barriers and once you're in, you can't move. With my luck I'd have to pee.

Excuse me, I have to go look up Billy Reid since I live under a rock.

What about a medium-sized Northern city that has a First Night celebration?

I'm going to be in New York for NYE...was intending to go to Times Square but the comments have put me off! I hate standing around in crowds for long periods of time! Not sure what to do instead though...?

ohioguy12 saidI've been to New Orleans and South Beach the last two new years eve, and both were just flat out amazing!

I was in New Orleans for it once, that WAS alot of fun. Lately we have just been doing house parties, but the person who hosts it has indicated he may not want to this year so IDK what will happen. My BF does not "do" bars or crowds so that limits us a bit.

I really want to spend it in Reykjavik sometime... 24 hours of fireworks!

There's a giant high heel drop, over Duval Street, if that's what you mean. The rest of the year this enormous shoe sits on the veranda of the gay hotel where we're staying next weekend, right outside our room's French doors. I'll try to remember to take a photo with it to post here. But we've never done New Year's in Key West.